President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has hailed the revival of the Rose Hall Sugar Estate as a testament to the stark contrast between a government focused on building and one that causes destruction.
On a recent tour of the sugar factory located in East Berbice Corentyne (Region Six), President Ali celebrated the remarkable turnaround of the estate, which had been abruptly shut down by the former APNU+AFC government in 2017, resulting in the loss of employment for hundreds of workers.
Under President Ali’s leadership, the once-dormant factory is now recognized as the most productive sugar facility in Guyana. The grinding engines are operating efficiently, and around 1,200 workers have been rehired.
President Ali expressed, “How sweet is the count of victory, how sweet is the sound of progress, how sweet is the sound of the People’s Progressive Party Government. From hopelessness to hope, from destruction to fortune. This is the difference between a government that builds and a government that destroys.”
The president acknowledged the contributions of the management and staff of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as well as the union in revitalizing the sugar industry. He emphasized the commitment of his government to make the industry viable, sustainable, and resilient for the long-term benefit of Guyana, assuring, “we shall not fail.”
Significant efforts have been made to develop approximately 4,000 hectares of land in Canje for cane harvesting to be processed at the Rose Hall Estate. Since 2021, more than 2,150 hectares have been utilized for cane harvesting, with over 1,400 hectares yet to be restored to production.
Upon assuming office in 2020, the government inherited a factory in a state of disrepair, with dismantled engines, dilapidated buildings, and neglected fields and drainage networks. Substantial funding, including a $1.195 billion allocation for equipment purchase and machinery rehabilitation, has been dedicated to support the estate’s reopening.
Supplementary funding of $1.510 billion was approved by the National Assembly to facilitate the rehabilitation of 1,572 hectares of land at the Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall, and Uitvlugt estates.
President Ali was joined on the tour by several government ministers, including the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Housing and Water, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and the Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo.
